The Japan Times - Ambitious Como's Champions League bid tested by Serie A leaders Inter

A traditionally tiny club, and one more experienced with lower league football and bankruptcies than playing the continent's elite, Como sit fourth and are on course to qualify for Europe for the first time.

Coach Cesc Fabregas has done such an impressive job that Como could make their continental debut in the Champions League after a phenomenal second Serie A season under the former Spain midfielder.

Even a Conference League spot would be a triumph for the Indonesian billionaire Hartono brothers who through tabacco giant Djarum acquired Como, then in the third tier, back in 2019.

It would also be a tribute to Michael Hartono, the elder of the two siblings, who died last month at the age of 86. Without him, Fabregas recently said, none of Como's success would have been possible.

The Inter visit is a crucial moment in Como's campaign. They are one point ahead of fifth-placed Juventus, who have a key clash of their own at resurgent Atalanta.

Five points separate Como from Atalanta in seventh but that gap could well be cut if a full -trength Inter team repeat what they did to Roma in last weekend.

Inter burst back into life in that 5-2 win thanks in large part to the return from injury of their captain, and the league's top scorer, Lautaro Martinez.

The restored combination of the Argentina striker and Denzel Dumfries, who was out from November to February, makes Inter a potent enough team going forward to mitigate their evident defensive frailties.

Como are Inter's last serious test of the season.

Defending champions Napoli, Inter's closest challengers at seven points off the pace, are at Parma seeking a seventh straight win after keeping their title defence alive by beating AC Milan on Monday.

Napoli boss Antonio Conte should have Rasmus Hojlund back after the Denmark striker missed the Milan win with a stomach bug.

With their principle rivals engaged in big fixtures, Roma have a chance to shake off their hammering at Inter and pull themselves closer to Como.

Gian Piero Gasperini's team are sixth, four points behind Como, going into their home fixture with Pisa, who are bottom of the division and set to go straight back down to Serie B.

Player to watch: Charles De Ketelaere

Belgium forward De Ketelaere was back to his best last weekend and his probing play from the flank will be key to Atalanta's chances against Juve on Saturday.

Since Raffaele Palladino replaced Ivan Juric in November, Atalanta have crawled their way back into the Champions League discussion.

De Ketelaere is Atalanta's number one attacking threat and the 25-year-old looked like he had properly shaken off a knee ligament injury at Lecce, where he provided two assists in a swashbuckling display.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Roma v Pisa (1845)

Saturday

Cagliari v Cremonese, Torino v Verona (1300), AC Milan v Udinese (1600), Atalanta v Juventus (1845)

Sunday

Genoa v Sassuolo (1030), Parma v Napoli (1300), Bologna v Lecce (1600), Como v Inter (1845)

Monday

Fiorentina v Lazio (1845)

M.Yamazaki--JT